A Mardi Gras Indian costume often takes up to a year to complete. It starts with an idea, then ordering all the materials, followed by hours of beadwork and stitching.

On Fat Tuesday, they have the joy of revealing it all to the public.

With so much preparation behind them and the anticipation bubbling over, the Yellow Pocahontas Indian Tribe of proudly strutted along the streets of Treme on Carnival afternoon.

"It brings joy to your heart to see their work and the work you helped come out and be so pretty," explained Joyce Montana, the widow of Big Chief Allison "Tootie" Montana.

She spent most of the year helping her son, Chief Daryl Montana, work on his costume. "My husband and my son, they always start from scratch, and my husband used to start the day after Mardi Gras on his suit for next year."

Indians' costumes are among the most elaborate and meticulously crafted in all of Carnival -- more ornate than the outfits worn by many kings and queens of parading krewes. The intricate work of beads, feathers, stones and stitches are crafted by the Indians themselves with the help of friends and relatives.

"I can't be on the street without the support of my wife and my children -- they also need to be acknowledged for also helping," said Yellow Pocahontas "Spy Boy" Tyrone Yancy.

While many people long for those coveted Mardi Gras beads, the Mardi Gras Indians draw revelers who are in awe of their creations. They don't need to catch a throw -- just a glimpse of the magnificent craftsmanship.

"I really appreciate and enjoy seeing the people that come out to see them in their costumes after all the hard work we put into making it," said Joyce Montana.

With the final snip, tuck and tie, their artwork comes to life. It's a more than 150-year-old tradition that will live on with the young Indians who stand beside them.

Coaches were more vocal and aggressive with players as training camp pushes ahead full steam. Players clashed with one another in several hard hits and tackles, indicating that ferocity was the name of the game.